Mecanismos de control neural cardíaco en la Enfermedad de Chagas. Implicaciones terapéuticas

Abstract

According to the Neurogenic Theory the progressive dilatation of the cardiac chambers, of chagasic patients, is due to a destruction of the cardiac vagal neurons. However, the results of our investigations indicate that the cardiac parasympathetic abnormalities, described in chronic Chagas' heart disease, are compensatory mechanisms secondary to the progressive ventricular dilatation. Cardiac parasympathetic abnormalities, and a reciprocal sympathetic hyperactivity, are also present in non-chagasic cardiac patients. Modern medical treatment, with sympatholytic drugs, prolongs life and prerevents ventricular dilatation in' these non-chagasic cardiac patients. In Chagas' heart disease the pathophysiology of the cardiac sympathetic system, as well as its therapeutic implications, is unknown.